Luis Jimenez joins West Ham United

15 June 2009 10:05

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Chief executive Scott Duxbury travelled to Italy on Monday for talks with Inter Milan and also met with Jimenez and his representatives. Terms for the deal, which could initially involve a loan with an option to buy, were agreed and an announcement is expected to be made later this week.[LNB]Jiminez will be the first of several signings by West Ham this summer as manager Gianfranco Zola overhauls his squad having released 10 players including captain Luca Neill after he turned down a contract offer than amounted to almost £50,000-a-week. Despite having 20 caps Jimenez has not played the requisite number of international matches recently to automatically qualify for a work permit. But West Ham have been told that an application would be successful.[LNB] Related ArticlesWest Ham promise signingsHow West Ham secured their future: Q&AWest Ham takeover puts out fire-sale worrySport on televisionPremier League Transfer TalkWest Ham Transfer TalkJimenez has been tracked by West Ham's technical director Gianluca Nani for some time and it appears that Nani and Zola, along with Duxbury, will use their Italian links for further signings. Jiminez was also of interest to Tottenham Hotspur after being told by Inter coach Jose Mourinho that he could seek a move. West Ham have previously been interested in Inter's Mario Balotelli and tried to sign him in January but that was vetoed by Mourinho.[LNB]Upson's future, meanwhile, is yet to be resolved. The England international has made clear he would like the opportunity to join a Champions League club if an offer is made for him. City do not fall into that category but may be willing to make an offer than West Ham would find difficult to refuse for a 30-year-old player.[LNB]West Ham have to weigh this up, however, with the loss of one of their most consistent performers with Upson having been earmarked to take over the captaincy from Neill. [LNB]